Hello (and Springbank availability talk/Bristol folk?)

[Julius_78]

Hello from the South West, UK. Are there any Bristol based Springbank fans here?

I've held on to a slither of hope that Springbank will open up society membership applications for a long time. I've been checking their website periodically over the last 5-6 years or so and it seems increasingly likely it's not going to happen.

So, it's a frantic scramble to try and nab a bottle when Indy shops get their limited supplies. Adding to that, I've noticed ballot opportunities decrease over the years and despite getting lucky a couple of years ago where I was selected to purchase a 15, it's very unlikely to occur again. With the latest round of core releases, I managed to nab a 5 year 100 proof. I' would have loved the 18 at cost and have entered a ballot. I've previously purchased the 10, which also still seems to be available in some Indy shops.

Are there any springbank society members here? If so, how easily can you secure core/special releases?

The next best thing to being a society member seems to be friends with someone who is that is willing to buy on your behalf!

Interested to hear people's experience

Cheers

J

[Fergie]

Hi Julius, I have given up on Springbank, too difficult to get hold of.

[Grant M]

I am not a member and it is quite a while since i have bought a bottle of Springbank, pity really as i was a big fan but I cant be doing with the ballots a i never got lucky and like Fergie i have given up hope of getting any Springbank bottles i want at cost.

[Julius_78]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I will add that kilkerran as an alternative has been more than acceptable in my books. I've the 16, 8 year sherry CS and a couple of heavily peated batches. I fear kilkerran is following in the footsteps of springbank with increased demand. I will however continue buying their output while it's (relatively) readily available.

[BigShing]

I love Springbank, it's one of my favourite distilleries, but there are loads of great distillereis out there and really Glen Scotia and Kilkerran are pretty much as good as Springbank and you can still get hold of their releases, so my advice is don't break your back and just explore alternatives that will replace Springbank for you.

IMO your best bet of getting hold of bottles is to hit the distillery shop if you ever fancy planning a trip to campbeltown, officially they limit sales but I've heard stories of them just handing out bottles to folk very casually (not to mention their casual approach to ensuring self pours are limited).

If you just want to drink Springbank regularly however, hit the bars. You'd be surprised how many places stock it. There's a cantonese cafe here in birmingham that sells speciality coffee, chinese tea, funky taiwanese bubble tea and east asian cakes... and Springbank Local Barley (I forget which age). It always surprises me where bottles of their whisky crop up!

[Julius_78]

Fair points. I'd love to go the distilleries in cambletown. Good shout re bars. I know of a few in Bristol and Bath.

[BigShing]

I forgot to follow up on this, but I don't know if you;re aware or not Julius that Springbank have a 5yr 100proof release in their range now that appears to be a little under the radar and ergo still findable in stock if you do a simple google search.

[Julius_78]

Sorry for the late reply. Yes, I managed to get a five year - I've had a couple of drams and prefer it to the 10 so far.